Suspect Charged in Gurnee Shooting

For Release:

Feb 17, 2012

Gurnee, IL – One suspect was charged late Thursday afternoon in relation to the early morning shooting that happened in the parking lot of the In-Laws Restaurant & Sports Lounge, 721 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

Joe Richardson-Wester, 27, of North Chicago is suspected of discharging a handgun from a vehicle outside the restaurant. Richardson-Wester was charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon (Class 3 Felony), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (Class 2 Felony), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon-possession without a FOID (Class 2 Felony) and aggravated discharge of a firearm (Class 1 Felony). Richardson-Wester appeared at a bond hearing in Waukegan Friday morning. He was remanded to the Lake County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

At 11:58 PM on 02/15/12, officers responded to a disturbance call involving approximately 15 patrons at the In-Laws. When the first officer arrived at midnight, he heard what sounded like gunfire. He notified responding units and put out a description of a dark SUV leaving the scene with no lights on, southbound on Rt. 21. Another responding unit stopped that vehicle near the intersection of Washington St. and Rt.21. The vehicle appeared to have a number of possible bullet holes. Other evidence was located in and around the vehicle. A handgun was recovered on the ground not far from the vehicle stop. The driver, Richardson-Wester, had a hand injury and was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center by Gurnee Fire Paramedics. He was treated and released from Condell and transported back to the Gurnee Police Department for further investigation.

A 33 year old male from North Chicago was treated at Vista West Medical Center in Waukegan for a gunshot wound to the leg, allegedly received while in the In-Laws parking lot. No other injuries were reported. The case remains under investigation.

The Gurnee Police Department is requesting that anyone having any information regarding this crime contact the Gurnee Police Department at 847-599-7000 or Lake County Crime Stoppers at 847-662-2222. Information may be given to Crime Stoppers anonymously and you could be eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.